)
ASV Wien and Martin Witzmann are satisfied with Alpe Adria league
Dear Sirs,
Please accept ASV Wien´s gratefulness to Slovenian Waterpolo Federation for the organisation of Alpe Adria League 2007/2008 and the finals in Kranj last weekend. It was a great tournament and definitely another strong and important sign of Waterpolo in our region. Needless to say that the efforts of the Slovenian Waterpolo Federation to organise Alpe Adria League have already been rewarded by the participation of teams from Hungary and Croatia. One may think what the next steps will be.
Anyhow, we - ASV Wien - are more than content to have reached 4th place this year, which given the two strong teams from Hungary and Croatia, is still an improvement to last year´s third place. We are very happy to be part of this great adventure and we hope to resume our co-operation in autum, when we hopefully will participate again in Alpe Adria Liga 2008/2009.
Please let me also express my personal best regards to your support and always helping hands, when they are needed. We are just a small club and our environment in Vienna is not always friendly to our sport and needs. I´m sorry that I could not attend this year´s finals, I had family business at hand. But I hope to lead ASV Wien delegation for next years finals.
Yours Sincerely
ASV Wien
Martin Witzmann
P.S.: League Office would like to congratulate to Martin Witzmann and his wife for newborn son that prevented him to came to Kranj on "Final 6" tournament.
)
All the ways to Krešimi Turina (white) were firmly closed.
With final between Hungarian Ujpest Torna and Croatian Opatija in Olympic swimming-pool in Kranj second season of international water-polo Alpe Adria league ended. Hungarian team used their advantages and won the final beyond any doubt. They replaced Olimpija on the Alpe Adria league throne. Defending champion finished competition on sixth place. From best two teams are also best players of the league. Best goalkeeper Balasz Pelle and league MVP Balasz Somogyi are from Uniqa UTE, while best scorer, he scored 41 goals, Danijel Kancijanič comes from Opatija.
Uniqa UTE (Hungary) – Opatija 1981 (Croatia) 16:6 (5:2, 3:1, 5:2, 3:1)
Olympic swimming-pool in Kranj, spectators 200, referees: Margeta and Radonjič (both Slovenia).
* Uniqa UTE: Somogyi 4, Mathe 3, N. Szabo 3, Suti 2, Salamon 2, B. Szabo 2.
* Opatija: Martinčič 3, Gudič 1, Frančiškovič 1, Turina 1.
Hungarian team Ujpesti Torna Egylet joined the Alpe Adria league in last moment before 2007/08 season started. They came as favorites, confirmed that role and won the title. In the final game they beat Croatian Opatija with ten goals difference.
There was no doubt about the winner. UTE proved that they are step in front of their opponents in the league. In the final they had even less problems than in semifinal against Triglav. This time Opatija had to pay at least two “taxes”. Beside that UTE wanted revenge for their only defeat in regular season, Hungarian team is also in top shape while they are fighting for LEN Trophy position in their national championship.
Hungarians knew where biggest danger comes from. They closed all ways to the Opatija’s center-forward Krešimir Turina. Croatian attacking line, all of the players are accurate shooters, couldn’t keep up with opponents. Hungarian “D-fence”, with best goalkeeper of the league Balasz Pelle, managed to hold most of Opatija’s attempts and completely stopped best scorer of the league Danijel Kancijanič. When leagues MVP Balasz Somogyi took initiative in attack and Nandor Szabo and Balasz Mathe scored each three times, Opatija’s resistance broke.
Grega Košir
)
In little final goalkeeper Žan Smolič and his team-mates from Triglav wide open their "wings".
With the game between home Triglav and ASV Wien last day of water-polo fiesta in Olympic swimming-pool in Kranj started. Tired from long season players gathered strengths for this last action. It was obvious that more power was left in hands of young Triglav players. Also full gallery carried them towards new success.
Triglav (Slovenia) – ASV Wien (Austria) 24:10 (4:4, 6:1, 5:2, 9:3)
Olympijc swimming-pool in Kranju, spectators 300, referees: Košir (Slovenia) and Gumbsch (Austria).
* Triglav: Todič 5, Komatar 4, Resnik 3, Vehovec 3, Murgič 2, Anzeljc 2, Štirn 1, Grašič 1, G. Kalan 1, Pogačnik 1, A. Kalan 1.
* ASV Wien: Rosič 4, Rukavina 2, Ivičevič 2, Draganič 1, Schaffhauser 1.
Young team from Kranj chose little final for their highest win in Alpe Adria league, in their first season. In home swimming-pool youth was their biggest advantage. Because of fast swimming Triglav completely demolished ASV that couldn’t keep up with three games in three days.
Equal was only first period, when guests lead 1:0 in 2:1. After first period scoreboard showed 4:4. In second period Triglav started to run away and won this part of the game with five goals advantage. In remaining two periods Triglav youngsters with fast and inspiring play sunk Austrian opponent. At the end they finished Alpe Adria league as the best Slovenian team.
Grega Košir
)
Most loyal fans followed Uniqa UTE also in Kranj.
“Final six” tournament of second Alpe Adria league season in Olympic swimming-pool in Kranj is going on. In first game of second day Rokava Koper for fifth place after penalty shootout beat defending champion Slovan Olimpija. In semifinal games favorite teams won. ASV Wien wasn’t strong enough for Opatija 1981 while Uniqa UTE beat home team of Triglav. Spectators saw two nice water-polo games. In tomorrows final will play teams that was on the top also after regular season – Opatija 1981 and Uniqa UTE. Triglav and ASV Wien will decide third place.
Opatija 1981 (Croatia) – ASV Dunaj (Austria) 15:11 (4:1, 6:2, 2:3, 3:5)
Olympic swimming-pool in Kranj, spectators 70, referees: Margeta and Košir (both Slovenia).
* Opatija: Kancijanič 5, Martinčič 4, Frančiškovič 2, Gudič 1, Pupovac 1, Turina 1, Matijašič 1.
* Dunaj: Rosič 4, Draganič 3, Rukavina 2, Papič 1, Ivičevič 1.
Before the game Opatija was big favorite. Croatian team also confirmed this role. Already in first period they gained three goals advantage and they lead 10:3 at “halftime”. With that game was decided. Danijel Kancijanič, this time he scored five times, confirmed best scorer title. In second part of the game Opatija’s coach Juraj Đuro Cirkovič a lot of opportunity gave also to the younger players, so players from Vienna could lower the result. Despite of that ASV is greatest surprise of the tournament, they came from sixth place into semi-final.
Uniqa UTE (Madžarska) – Triglav (Slovenija) 10:6 (4:2, 2:1, 2:1, 2:2)
Olympic swimming-pool in Kranj, spectators 200, referees: Margeta and Radonjič (both Slovenia).
* Uniqa UTE: Somogy 3, Suti 2, Borsos 2, Salamon 2, B. Szabo 1.
* Triglav: Todič 3, Anzeljc 1, Resnik 1, Pogačnik 1.
As it was expected Hungarian Uniqa UTE secured their final spot in second Alpe Adria League edition. Team from Budapest already finished on the top after regular season. In the final they will face Opatija 1981, team that consists from experienced players that mostly played for Primorje Rijeka.
On the game in Kranj there was no question about the winner. Young home team couldn’t keep up with better opponent. They came into lead after Jure Pogačnik scored for 1:0, than Čedomir Todič with nice goal equalized on 2:2. But after that Hungarians took things in their hands. They were leading 4:2 after first period and 6:2 in second. Experienced UTE team managed to keep advantage until the end of the game without bigger problems. Especially Balazs Somogyi, Gabor Suti and Ferenc Salamon were unstoppable for Triglav’s defense.
Rokava Koper - Slovan Olimpija 14:13 (3:3, 0:2, 2:2, 2:0; 1:1, 1:1, 5:4)
Olympic swimming-pool in Kranj, spectators 100, referees: Radonjič (Slovenia) and Gumbsch (Austria).
* Koper: Mertelj 4, Potočnik 2, Kavčič 1, Crnica 1, Volčič 1.
* Olimpija: Ju. Škof 2, Puš 2, Gotovac 1, Kecman 1, Merlak 1, Sušanj 1, Prodan 1.
* Penalties – first round: Smolnik – missed, Merlak – mised, Černeka 10.9, Podvršček 10:10, Crnica – mised, Sušanj 10:11, Kavčič 11:11, Ju. Škof 11:12, Mertelj 12:12, Kecman – mised; second round: Smolnik 13:12., Merlak 13:13, Čermenka 14:13, Podvršček - mised.
Despite that game between Rokava Koper and Slovan Olimpija, quarterfinal losers, decided only about fifth place, players of both teams showed nice and exciting game.
In regular time Olimpija was closer to the success, but in last period, when they failed to beat opponent goalkeeper, blow up two goals advantage. Koper enforced extra-time, and in additional minutes they were closer to success. But finally penalty shoots had to decide winner. Decisive moment came in second round of shooting when Luka Gržentič saved shot by Klemen Podvršček.
Grega Košir
)
Ivan Papič (right) was man of the match in first quarterfinal
Final tournament of international Alpe Adria league in indoor Olympic swimming-pool in Kranj started with big surprise. In first quarterfinal game six-placed team ASV Wien after extra-time beat Rokava Koper, best Slovenian team from regular season. In Slovenian duel between Triglav beat defending champion Slovan Olimpija. In tomorrow semifinal Austrian ASV will face Croatin Opatija 1981 while Hungarian Uniqa UTE will have to play home Triglav.
Rokava Koper (Slovenia) – ASV Wien (Austria) 9:10 (1:4, 2:1, 3:3, 3:1; 0:1, 0:0)
Olympic swimming-pool in Kranj, spectators 150, referees: Košir (Slovenia) and Ban (Croatia).
* Rokava Koper: Crnica 2, Mertelj 2, Smolnik 2, Potočnik 1, Volčič 1, Černeka 1.
* ASV Wien: Papič 3, Draganič 3, Rosič 2, Ivičevič 1, Schaffhauser 1.
In first quarterfinal game team from Vienna surprised Koper, third-placed team from regular season. Man of the match was Ivan Papič, who scored three goals, also decisive one in extra time. Koper came into lead already in first attack, but after Austrian vice-champions scored from everywhere and lead 4:1 after first period. When they scored for 5:1 everything looked like team form Austrian capital will gain easy win.
But Koper didn’t surrender. In second period Sandi Mertelj scored two consecutive goals for lower difference. In third part of the game Rok Crnica and Tugo Volčič equalized on 5:5. But Austrians escaped on two goals advantage, their best scorer Marko Draganič scored his third goal for 9:7. Before last whistle Crnica and Uroš Smolnik equalized on 9:9 and teams had to play extra-time. But luck was on Austrian side this time. Ivan Papič scored only goal in additional six minutes and send his team to semifinal against Opatija.
Triglav (Slovenia) – Slovan Olimpija (Slovenia) 6:5 (3:2, 1:1, 1:1, 1:1)
Olympic swimming-pool in Kranj, spectators 350, referees: Margeta (Slovenia) and Gumbsch (Austria).
* Triglav: Pogačnik 2, Anzeljc 2, Grašič 1, Vehovec 1.
* Slovan Olimpija: Sušanj 2, Podvršček 2, Prodan 1.
In quarterfinal home team fulfill their most dreamed wishes. They beat Slovenian champion from Ljublajna and made happy numerous home crowd. Young team from Kranj – main players from past seasons Žiga Balderman, Primož Troppan and Tomaž Mihelčič wathed the game on the gallery – lead all the way and celebrated narrow but deserved success. “Dragons”, this time they had to play without their best scorers injured Andraž Verač and punished Jure Škof, will have to pass Alpe Adria title to another team.
Like in the first quarterfinal game, team that lost at the end, first came into lead. Scorer was Klemen Podvršček that played for Triglav last year. After that Triglav took initiative and lead 2:1 and 3:2. They managed to keep one or two goals advantage to the end. Last minutes were very exciting. Triglav 1:46 minute before the end with goal scored by captain Borut Anzeljc came into lead with 6:4. When Arsen Sušanj with his second goal of the evening lowered the result to 6:5 there was still more than one minute to play. At very end of the game Olimpija had some chances to score equalizer but home defense denied all their attempts
Grega Košir
)
Will the team of Matyas Petrovics on "Final 6" tournement confirm first place ?
Matyas Petrovics (Uniqa UTE): “It was great opportunity for my team to participate in this league. We played against good teams and it helped a lot to develop the knowledge of my young team. It was also good practice for the Hungarian championship. Of course in the “Final six” we would like to win and we are looking forward to the matches.”
Juraj Đuro Cirkovič (Opatija 1981): “We are very satisfied with regular season, both with organization and the games that showed equality of the competing teams. Only Hungarian team Ujpesti Torna is a little bit outstanding as quality and preparation is concerned. From final tournament we expect to confirm second place that we reached in regular season. So we will try to enter the final game and compete for second Alpe Adria title. We are aware that this is going to be very tough while on one side all the teams reached high level of preparation and on the other side our best player Gabrijel Strižič left the team. And that is great handicap for us.”
Marino Cetin (Rokava Koper): “We are satisfied with regular season.”
Aleš Komelj (Triglav): “The main goal for us was to be placed between six teams after the league system. We are very satisfied because we finished in front of defending champion Olimpija and is also team with biggest number of foreign players. So we are very happy and we are pleased to have final games in Kranj.”
Željko Tonkovič (Slovan Olimpija): “When I speak about regular season, I must put out two sides of my vision. On one side, we are very happy that we reached the final. Because of equality of the teams, we were also unsure for a while. On the other side we can’t be satisfied with our performance in regular season. We were the only team of all that played in European cup and because of that we didn’t have enough time for proper preparation for the season. It was obvious in December and early January when we lost bunch of games. We will go to the final tournament without any obligation. In any game we will try to show our maximum and we will play to win. It will be also great preparation for national championship. Because league was so equal, I expect Festival of Water-Polo, tight and equal games with lot of passion. Tournament will be interesting for spectators and real commercial for our bellowed sport.”
Žarko Jeremič (ASW Wien): “We will go to Kranj to do our best. We have reached our main goal to qualify for the finals after difficult ans long season. We had to pay tribute to the increased quality of the league since last year after teams from Hungary and Croatia have joined. On the other hand we were a little bit unlucky this year because a number of results were very close but most times we had the bad end. However our main problem comes from the fact that we do not have the team together during weekdays but in the finals we hope to strike the one or the other lucky punch. That may boost our general performance and we may improve our final position in the results, which is our main target for this final. We hope not to come last.”
)
Matjaž Ul - what was on his mind?!
Last game of regular Alpe Adria season ended in unpleasant way. In Olympic swimming-pool in Kranj, where "Final six" tournament will take place, home Triglav and Branik playeid their game. Game didn't decide about anything, Branik was nailed to the seventh place and outside final, while Triglav was still in fight with Olimpija for fourth place, but also that couldn't change anything regarding quarterfinal pairs. Home team was leading all the time, when in second period Matjaž Ul stopped the game. Actually he just upgraded what was going on in the water. Not long before that his team-mate Andrija Šulič earned exclusion with substitution. When same decision was made against Matjaž Ul, he started to swim towards referee, climbed out of the water and pushed referee into swimming-pool. Game was, of course, immediately stopped, Triglav is going to win with 10:0, while Matjaž Ul is waiting for his punishement.
Triglav (Slovenia) - Branik (Slovenia) 10:0 - stopped in 2nd period
Olympic pool in Kranj, spectators 100, referees: Margeta and Košir (both Slovenia).
Grega Košir
)
Danijel Kancijanič is best scorer of the league
Alfred Hajos swimming-pool in Budapest was venue of Alpe Adria game for the last time in this season. In duel of leading teams Ujpest Torna beat Opatija and revenged for defeat from first part of regular season. They also confirmed first place before “Final six” tournament. There is only one game, Triglav and Branik will play tomorrow in Kranj, missing in regular season. With win Triglav can overtake Olimpija on fourth place but it won’t change quarterfinal pairs.
Uniqa UTE (Hungary) – Opatija 1981 (Croatia) 17:6 (6:0, 3:2, 3:1, 5:3)
Alfred Hajos swimming-pool in Budapest, spectators 450, referees: Gy. Juhasz and Fekete (both Hungary).
* UTE: Suti 5, B. Szabo 4, Olasz 2, Somogyi 2, Borsos 1, Sziklai 1, N. Szabo 1, Mathe 1.
* Opatija: Kancijanič 2, Sabljič 1, Frančiškovič 1, Gudič 1, Matijašič 1.
Hungarian players well remembered December 12th and game in Rijeka, when Opatija, at that time still with previous name Kvarner, caused them only defeat in the league. Opatija won high, 17:11, but lost their best player Gabrijela Strižiča, who left for Italy after this game. It ment easier work for Ujpest Torna in revenge game, but also much stronger team would hardly beat them this time. Under heavy start, followed by huronic support from full gallery, also Opatija gave up. After 6:0 in first period their resistance was broken. But Danijel Kancijanič managed to score two goals until the end of the game and jumped on first place of scorers table, where he overtake and replaced last year’s king of the scorers Aaron Giorgi from Pallnuoto Trieste.
Grega Košir
)
WBC Tirol watched UTE playing in Vienna against ASV, today they had to face them
For the second time in two days WBC Tirol and Uniqa UTE faced each other. Despite playing in Budapest, unlike yesterday, this time Austrian champion was home team. Also game took place in other swimming-pool, same famous water-polo venue Csaszar – Komjadi on right Danube bank in Budim. But winner was the same. With those points Uniqa UTE already secured first palce after regular season and best starting position for “Final six” tournament. There are only two games of regular season left, Uniqa UTE vs. Opatija and Triglav vs Branik.
WBC Tirol (Avstrija) – Uniqa UTE (Madžarska) 8:16 (2:3, 1:4, 1:4, 4:5)
Csaszar – Komjadi swimming-pool in Budapest, spectators 150, referees: At. Nemeth and Vogel (both Hungary).
* WBC Tirol: Gratzl 3, Böhme 2, B. Hengl 2 Bundschuh 1.
* UTE: Sziklai 3, Salamon 3, Z. Szabo 2, Olasz 2, B. Szabo 2, Debreczeni 1, N. Szabo 1, Mathe 1, Rekasi 1.
For Austrian champion from Innsbruck this years Alpe Adria league obviously ended too soon. From game day to game day they were better and better and they showed some great performances. In last game days, especially in their pool, they also suffered some narrow defeats. They were home team also on today’s occasion in Budapest, where they showed one of their best performances against league leader Ujpest Torna. Actually they kept up with Hungarian team for the whole game and they can leave Hungarian capital with their heads up.
Grega Košir
)
UTE is already on the top of league table, Balasz Somogyi is near on scorers table
In Hungarian capital Budapest games of international Alpe Adria league continue. Latest guest of Ujpest Torna was Austrian champion WBC Tirol. There were no doubts about winner. With new points Hungarian team clinched top of the table again. Teams will face each-other again tomorrow. Despite that game will take place in Budapest, but in other swimming-pool, host team will be Tirol.
Uniqa UTE (Hungary) – WBC Tirol (Austria) 18:6 (6:2, 5:1, 4:1, 3:2)
Alfred Hajos swimming-pool in Budapest, spectators 250, referees: Petik and Batori (both Hungary).
* UTE: Somogyi 4, Z. Szabo 3, N. Szabo 2, Debreczeni 2, B. Szabo 2, Mathe 2, Suti 1, Borsos 1, Rekasi 1.
* WBC Tirol: Bundschuh 2, Böhme 1, B. Hengl 1, Röhle 1, Burtscher 1.
Despite fact that winner was known before the game, many waited for the result. And many were surprised about good resistance of Austrian champion. After all they passed game in Budapest better than for example Triglav or Branik. But scenario was the same. Heavy attack since start resulted in high difference and game was decided before “halftime”. With those points Ujpest Torna is back on the top of Alpe Adria league table. Same tams will face tomorrow again and another success for UTE is expected. With that UTE will secure top position after regular season.
Grega Košir
